Winnie Mandela escapes prison term

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the former wife of South Africa's first black president, Nelson Mandela, escaped jail yesterday when a four-year sentence for theft was overturned on appeal.

Rather than celebrate, the woman once dubbed the mother of the nation was defiant and promised to appeal against the ruling that upheld other convictions for fraud.

Mrs Madikizela-Mandela, 67, allegedly abused her position as head of the African National Congress Women's League to defraud a bank by obtaining loans worth $120,000 in the name of non-existent employees.

The theft charges related to money which disappeared from the bank accounts of loan applicants for a bogus funeral policy. She was convicted in April 2003 but remained free on bail pending appeal.

But the high court in Pretoria yesterday suspended Mrs Madikizela-Mandela's sentence after quashing 25 counts of theft and upholding 43, prompting an indignant response.

"I have instructed my lawyers to appeal against a judgment that is completely wrong," she told the South African Press Association. Several dozen supporters cheered her from the court steps.

Her alleged accomplice, Addie Moolman, a financial adviser, also had theft charges dropped but failed to overturn the fraud charges. One year was cut from his five-year term.

In 1991 Mrs Madikizela-Mandela also escaped jail when her six-year sentence for kidnapping and assault was reduced on appeal to a fine.

In a statement yesterday the ANC welcomed the news that Mrs Madikizela-Mandela would remain free. "Winnie is a tried and tested leader of the ANC who has gone through hard experiences and sacrifices in the process of the liberation struggle. Her experiences and leadership [are] valued across the racial spectrum in our country and throughout the world."